Corvettes were slowly coasting up Main Street. Children were chasing candy from the cars.
Dancers were dancing, and the bands kept playing on.
The beat kept going at Saturday’s University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff homecoming parade on a warmer-than-usual late October morning. The otherwise picture-perfect day — which turned rainy by the first quarter of the UAPB-Mississippi Valley State University football game — saw an estimated 9,500 line both sides of Main Street from Sixth to 15th Avenues as a number of entrants rang in the most festive day on the calendar for both the city and university. The turn from Main Street was moved four blocks south from last year as Streetscape renovation continued.
“I look forward to it because they be on and popping,” Phyllis Walker of Pine Bluff said. “It’s good for entertainment to Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to bring publicity, and this school.”
Sharon Harris’ three grandchildren sure liked all that the parade had to offer.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“They like looking at the band and the candy when they throw it out to them,” said Pine Bluff resident Harris. Her youngest grandson could hardly take his eyes off the Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South, which has enjoyed a busy October that began with a trip to World Wrestling Entertainment’s Bad Blood card in Atlanta. The band was invited after a video of it playing wrestler Cody Rhodes’ theme song “Kingdom” went viral.
Charlie Nelms, a 1969 graduate of what was then Arkansas AM&N College, served as the parade’s grand marshal. Nelms is a philanthropist and former chancellor at Indiana University East, University of Michigan-Flint and North Carolina Central University and is known to have mentored 35 future university presidents and chancellors.
The atmosphere downtown remained jovial, almost 36 hours after a shooting on the UAPB campus injured a juvenile and an 18-year-old UAPB student. The latter was treated and released with a wound to his left arm, while the juvenile remained hospitalized as of Friday.
“We’re just going to have to keep them lifted in the prayer,” Walker said. “We’re going to pray for that spirit to be gone in the name of Jesus. … We’re going to keep on going and keep them lifted in prayer.”
Campus police encouraged the public to not shy away from any homecoming-related activities and assured that the campus was secure.
“I’m still supportive of UAPB, and I know that their laws will be out here at all times,” Harris said.
Miss UAPB Freddiemae Thompson, a Dollarway High School graduate, waves to parade attendees. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
UAPB alumnus and parade Grand Marshal Charlie Nelms waves to the crowd. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
Grandchildren of Sharon Harris watch intently as the UAPB Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South perform on Main Street. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
The homecoming parade turned east from Sixth Avenue as Streetscape renovation of Main Street Pine Bluff progresses. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
Citizens watch the UAPB homecoming parade from the front of the Main Library. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
UAPB pom squad members perform. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
Members of the Super Stars dance team entertain a throng of UAPB homecoming parade goers. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
The Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South perform one of the late Frankie Beverly’s classic hits. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
Phyllis Walker, with her grandson, sway to the beat as they watch the Super Stars dance team March. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
Pine Bluff High School Red Queen Danielle Bobo greets the crowd. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)